The office is sizzling and all we can think about doing this weekend is escaping to a cool, refreshing garden for a chilled summer soiree. Preferably with cocktails.

Thankfully, all of this daydreaming led us to do something productive … drum roll … the Lily Boutique’s Guide to Cocktail Parties. We love every single one of these items with a passion and, true to style, our outfit choices will have you swaying before you’ve even HAD your margarita.



Give your every day drink-ware a fun makeover with these vinyl chalkboard labels at $9.99. Couple with raspberry beer cocktails. Sounds delicious, non? Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

1. 3/4 cup frozen raspberries
2. 3 1/2 cup bottled beer, chilled
3. 1 cup container frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate, thawed
4. 1/2 cup vodka
5. Garnish: lemon and lime slices

Mix all of the ingredients together and pour over ice!



Lilly Pulitzer has a simply gorgeous selection of paper lanterns that are perfect for injecting a little color at the end of an otherwise dreary week. At the fabulous price of $8.95, you can keep these hanging all summer long.



A must have for innovative bartenders, this Fee Brothers set includes twelve hard to find cocktail bitters. Complete your collection of cocktail ingredients and enhance your drinks with the flavors of West Indies Orange, Peach, Lemon, Grapefruit, Mint, Cherry, Aztec Chocolate, Celery, Rhubarb, Cranberry, Plum and “Old Fashioned” bitters. While this particular set is almost $100. you can find much cheaper variations with some online sleuthing – The Bitter Truth set for example.



Mr Demarquette, a fine chocolatier based in London, has created some limited-edition truffles this summer, for ladies with serious style. At $16 a box, they’re not cheap, but what could be more glamorous than champagne truffles coated in edible glitter? The Glittery Champagne Truffle is made using one of the best brut champagnes: Dom Perignon. The exclusive bubbly is blended with a secret recipe of cocoas from all over the globe and the finest cream from Cornwall and Hampshire. The truffles are then dipped in the boutique’s prize-winning chocolate couverture before a delicate dusting of shimmering glitter. Really, we think it’s worth splurging on a box of these just for the conversation factor. ‘ … imported from London you know … made with Dom Perignon … award winning chocolatier …’



Our Beautiful Embellished Maxi Dress is the perfect number for a late night soiree and will have your guests wondering whether you import your clothes (as well as your chocolates) from award winning boutiques. At $56, this dress is a steal.



Sweetly casual and oh so feminine, the Raindrops on Roses Chiffon Designer Dress in Peach by Minuet, which is just $50, is effortlessly glamorous and ideal for cool summer nights under low hanging trees.



And finally, my personal favourite, The Aqua Mirage White Chiffon Overlay Designer Dress by Minuet , priced at $51, is akin to something you would find on stage at an open air performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Delicate, deliciously cool and with a touch of fairy about it, you’ll be the delight of any outdoor event in this beauty.

Is it the weekend yet? Be sure to tell us about your favourite cocktail party decorations, drinks and dresses in the comments.

We’ll look forward to receiving our invites from you all … they’re in the mail, right?

x

We still have a hangover from our recent post and that’s why today’s blog is another one about celebrity fashion from the hit TV series, Gossip Girl. As much as we love Blair’s preppy and polished look, we’re also very fond of the glam-rocker-chic, boho vibe that Serena Van Der Woodsen is known for! Played by actress Blake Lively, Serena’s the most popular Upper East Side IT girl. A little trivia for you before we begin dishing out what we love about Serena: Did you know that Blake Lively chooses her own outfits for her role in the show? Cool, right?
Serena’s fashion sense is modern, sexy and fierce. She’s definitely not afraid to show her rocking body and to experiment with different clothing elements. However, her adventurous nature doesn’t keep her from having signature pieces that all Serena Van Der Woodsen fans can copy!
Serena is a free spirit who doesn’t care what people think about her. She is often seen in boho-style tops and dresses too. To get that boho-chic look, check out this classy Boho Beaded Top from Lily Boutique.

It has a V-neck with just the right cut to show off some skin without exposing too much cleavage. Remember, Serena’s style is sexy, but never trashy. She’s often seen in low cut dresses and tops or super short skirts, but she can definitely pull it off without looking cheap.

We also notice how Serena loves embellishments in her clothes. Sleeveless tops with personalized touches are her thing. With that, we present the Elizabeth Embellished Top in Ivory and the Hint of Glint Two-In-One Top Vest in Olive.

These two different tops both look like something that Serena would definitely wear due to their feminine, yet rocker-chic look. We can definitely see her wearing these tops with skinny jeans and killer heels – a style that we’ve all seen her pull off perfectly!
Another fashion piece that she’s often seen in is a perfectly constructed blazer that compliments her broad shoulders. To achieve this celebrity fashion sense, check out Lily Boutique’s version of Chanel’s Hint of Sparkle Tweed Blazer in Grey.

For around $30, you can own this blazer and look fabulous. Chanel is one of the brands that we often see Serena wearing and with this blazer, you can achieve the look without breaking your budget. Another blazer we love is the Black and White Stripe Crossover Blazer with Gold Buttons. Serena loves fitted, well-constructed blazers like this one and when paired with a short skirt and stilettos, you can steal Serena’s style.

In the show, Serena is a sexy party girl who’s constantly seen wearing a super short bandages dress. And not just that, she likes her dresses to have a little shine and sparkle all over them. That’s why we could see her rocking the club with this Celestial Sparkle Ribbon Wrapped Designer Dress in Minuet.

We can also see Serena wearing something like the Ravishing Rosette Cocktail Dress and One Shoulder Asymmetrical Hemline Chiffon Designer Dress by Minuet in Berry because of their sexy, fiery looks – just like what Upper East Side’s most talked-about IT girl is known for.

How about you? What’s your favorite Serena style? For more celebrity fashion updates, remember to always visit Lily Boutique’s fashion blog!

Pencil dresses are a great wardrobe staple that look amazing on all body types!  They are a versatile look that can easily go from day to night. Add some pencil dresses to your wardrobe so that you can easily go from office to cocktail parties, dates or girl’s nights out.

The best place to find the perfect pencil dress is Lily Boutique. This entire selection of dresses is under $50!  You can’t beat that!  You will instantly look chic in any of these cute dresses!

Left to Right: In The Middle Lace Midi Pencil Dress in Black $45; Calyn Crochet Lace Capsleeve Pencil Dress in Black $35; Scalloped Edges Capsleeve Black Pencil Dress $42; Ornate Metallic Floral Surplice Capsleeve Pencil Dress $46

Left to Right: Encircled In Style Lace Dress in Black/Ivory $46; Bygone Era Lace Pencil Dress in Black/Beige $40; Perfectly Accessorized Crossover Pencil Dress in Black/Ivory – Plus Size $50

A pencil dress is a slim-fitting dress with a straight, narrow cut.  Generally the hem falls to, or is just below the knee and is tailored for a close fit.  It is named for its shape: long and slim like a pencil.  This style manages to be figure-flattering on everyone.  Pencil dresses can be paired with stilettos or shiny jewelry to create the specific look you desire.

We love the bright fun pattern of the Botanical Gardens Floral Print Capsleeve Pencil Dress. Pencil dresses do not have to be neutral– they can be bright, bold, and sexy!  Which one of these will complete your wardrobe?

Top Left: Gardenia Dreams Fitted Lace Pencil Dress in Magenta $40; Lace Fall In Love Crochet Lace Pencil Dress in Burgundy $46; Pretty Posh Lace Trim Pencil Dress in Pale Pink $32 Bottom Left: Carrie Capsleeve Lace Pencil Dress in Pink $45; Lace Get Together Capsleeve Pencil Dress in Orange $42; Warm Tones Colorblock Capsleeve Pencil Dress in Coral/Beige $40

Pencil dresses offer a streamlined couture look that is sleek and sophisticated.  We love how the lines in the Warm Tones Colorblock Capsleeve Pencil Dress in Coral/Beige accentuates your waist.

Left to Right: Niki Capsleeve Lace Pencil Dress in Bright Yellow $45; Botanical Gardens Floral Print Capsleeve Pencil Dress $40; Dynamic Duo Chiffon and Crochet Lace Pencil Dress in Green/Beige $32

Lace pencil dresses manage to combine a sleek and chic cut with a girly and feminine fabric. We have so many cute lace pencil dresses to choose from at Lily Boutique–there’s something for everyone!

Top Left: Camille Lace Pencil Dress in Teal $45; Lace Pinup Fitted Dress in Teal $40; Hailey Crochet Lace Capsleeve Pencil Dress in Mint $46 Bottom Left: Blue and White Capsleeve Lace Pencil Dress $40; Doris Lace Capsleeve Midi Pencil Dress in Sky Blue $45; Nila Crochet Lace Capsleeve Pencil Dress in Aqua Shimmer $45

Left to Right: V for Victory Belted Pencil Dress in Navy $32; Time and Lace Pencil Dress in Navy $42; Two In One Button Front Pencil Dress in Ivory/Navy $42

Left to Right: Nila Crochet Lace Capsleeve Pencil Dress in Beige Shimmer $45; Emilia Lace Pencil Dress in Beige- Plus Size $45; In First Lace Pencil Dress in Ivory $40; Lace Trim Pencil Dress with Crossover Hem in Beige $32; Contrast Trim Crossover Hemline Pencil Dress in White $34

Not sure of the style or fit?  Give us a call or send us an email at sales@lilyboutique.com.  We would be happy to assist you in finding the perfect pencil dress for any occasion.  With these prices, go ahead and buy one in every color!  You will not only find the perfect pencil dress, you’ll also be able to find the perfect shoes and accessories to complete your look!